Tokyo Assemly election today

I went to local junior high school which is used for polling station to cast ballots in the assembly election this morning.

Attention is focused on whether the governing bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito can retain its majority. The opposition Democratic Party is seeking to replace the LDP as the assembly's largest party.

All parties waged the 9-day election campaign on the premise that the results would affect the timing of dissolution of the Lower House for a general election.

Candidates exchanged in fierce debate during the campaign on the issues of restructuring ShinGinko Tokyo, which is funded by the Metropolitan Government, the low birthrate, employment, and medical costs.

Some 1,800 polling station in Tokyo opened at 7AM on Sunday local time. Voting will end at 8PM and ballots will be counted on the same day.